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Tradescantia 'Peter Fletcher' (Mystery Commelinaceae) - This tropical looking plant grows upright to 4-5 feet with strap-shaped leaves that are 6-8 inches long by 2-3 inches wide. The leaves are green above with a maroon midrib and maroon below. It has white flowers in small clusters subtended by a pair of 2-inch bracts and dark purple berries.
Plant in shade in a near frost free spot or protect in winter. Looks a bit like Dichorisandra, but the inflorescence is more like a Tradescantia. It seems to be evergreen and hardy to at least 32° F.
This mystery plant was collected in Oaxaca Mexico by landscaper and plantsman Peter Fletcher, who was a past president of the Santa Barbara County Horticultural Society. We first saw a several-year-old plant growing in the ground outdoors in his Santa Barbara garden where its beauty and apparent hardiness appealed to us. It may be a Tradescantia, but it also might belong to some other genus in the family (If you can identify it please let us know). We grew this plant from 2003 until 2005.
The information about Tradescantia 'Peter Fletcher' that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.
Please note that after 46 years in business, San Marcos Growers will be discontinuing nursery operations by the end of 2025 and the property will be developed for affordable housing.
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